Outboard motor support

ABSTRACT

An outboard motor support means which is particularly adapted for attachment to a primary outboard motor mounted on a boat transom and which has a fixed support section with a movable support section pivotally mounted thereon having means for supporting an outboard motor, and with the movable support section having a lever means extending forwardly toward the boat for pivotally moving the movable support section, thereby effecting vertical movement of the outboard motor into or out of the water. A latch means is also provided for holding the movable support section and the outboard motor in a selected vertical position. Spring means are also preferably provided which connect the opposite sides of the fixed support section of the outboard motor support means to the opposite end portions of the boat transom to automatically center the outboard motor mounted thereon when the steering mechanism is unattended and maintain the boat traveling along a straight course.

llnite Patent [72] Inventor lRubenV.Hakala Waukegan, Ill. [21] AppLNo. 797,859 [22] Filed Feb. 10,1969 [45] Patented Mar.2,l97l [73] Assignee HenryJ.Schueneman [54] OUTBOARD MOTOR SUPPORT 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 248/4, 115/17 [51] llnt.Cl ..B63h21/26 [50] lFieldofSear-ch ..248/4,284, 278,281;115/17,18,41

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,138,600 11/1938 Harmon... 248/284X 2,713,843 7/1955 Sta1ey 248/4X 2,782,744 2/1957 Sta1ey 115/41 3,032,304 5/1962 Machlan... 248/4 3,111,929 l1/l963 Fisher 115/18 3,139,853 7/1964 McCarthyetal. 3,462,102 8/1969 Rivers Primary Examiner-Edward C. Allen Assistant ExaminerJ. Franklin Foss Attorney-Hibben, Noyes & Bicknell ABSTRACT: An outboard motor support means which is particularly adapted for attachment to a primary outboard motor mounted on a boat transom and which has a fixed support section with a movable support section pivotally mounted thereon having means for supporting an outboard motor, and with the movable support section having a lever means extending forwardly toward the boat for pivotally moving the movable support section, thereby effecting vertical movement of the outboard motor into or out of the water. A latch means is also provided for holding the movable support section and the outboard motor in a selected vertical position.

Spring means are also preferably provided which connect the opposite sides of the fixed support section of the outboard motor support means to the opposite end portions of the boat transom to automatically center the outboard motor mounted thereon when the steering mechanism is unattended and maintain the boat traveling along a straight course.

PATENTED'MAR 2am 3,567,164

sum 1 or 2 I nvent I Ruben V Hctka [a 33 fiMJVpgu2 M I oii'moAnD; MOTORISUPPORIT is being propelled by either one of the outboard motors, as in 1 US. Pats. Nos. 3,111,929 and $139,853. However, in addition to being able to use the boats primary steering mechanism for controlling an auxiliary outboard motor, it is also very desirable to be able to conveniently lower and raise the auxiliary outboard motor into and out ofjthe water without moving the primary outboard motor and while the primary and auxiliary' outboard motors .remain in an operative vertical position. Also, it is frequently desirable to adjust the depth of the propulsion unit of theauxiliary outboard motor to the optimum depth in the water while underway. l-leretofore, however, none of the prior art outboard-motor attachments have provided actuating means for controlling the movement of the auxiliary motor to a selected vertical position of adjustment FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of ,FlG. I;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1; a

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end view'taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and 1 FIG. 6is a fragmentary side elevational view of the opposite side of the attachment of FIG. 1 in a different position of adjustment.

The outboard motor support means of the present invention preferably comprises an outboardmotor attachment adapted to be mounted on a primary outboard motor and having in combination a fixed support section preferably securedly attached to a primary outboard motor of a boat and a movable support section pivotally mounted on the fixed support section with the outboard motor adapted to be supported thereby and .arm, secured to the movable support section so as to effect pivotal movement thereof and which preferably terminates adjacent the transom of the boat on which the primary outboard motor is mounted. The movable support section supports the outboard motor by means of a transom support aswhile the primary outboard motor and theauxiliary motor are 7 maintained in an operative position, so that either of the motors can be started and put into-use rapidlyigmd conveniently. Nor have meansheretofore been'provided changing theposition of an auxiliary motor to one of several vertical positions of adjustment while the motor is in use. The previously devised auxiliary outboard motor mounts have also failed to provide means for automatically maintaining the auxiliary outboard motor in a predetermined directional position with respect to the boat was to keep the boat traveling along a straight course through the waterwhen the primary steeringv mechanism of the main outboard motor is left unattended.

It is therefore-an objectof the present invention to provide an improved support for an outboard motor which makes operation of a boat safer and more convenient.

It is afurther object of the-present invention to provide an improved support for an auxiliary outboard motor which permits more conveniently and rapidly controlling the vertical movement of the auxiliary outboard motor. p

It is also an object of the present invention-to provide animproved attachment'of a primary outboard motor which sup ports an auxiliary outboard motor and which permitsmore conveniently moving the auxiliary motor into and out of the water while maintaining the primary outboard motor and the auxiliary outboard motor in a vertical operative position ready for immediate use at all times.

It is still another object of the present invention .to provide an improved attachment for a primary outhoardmotor which supports an auxiliary outboard motor and which has means for maintaining the auxiliary outboard motor in a selected vertical position in thewater. r

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a primary outboard-motor which supports an auxiliary outboard motor and which has means for maintaining the auxiliary outboard motor inapredetermined position with respect to the boaton which the primary outboard motor is mounted and maintaining the boat traveling along predetermined course when the steering mechanism of the boat is left unattended.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawing, wherein: p

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the auxiliary outboard motor attachment of the present invention mounted on a primary outboard motor in operative position on a transom of a boat;

sembl'y which is attached to the movable support section and is .disposedin a plane generally'parallel with plane of the boat transom and remains in the same plane when the movable support section is pivotally moved. The fixed support section and the movable support sections are also preferably provided with positioning means which coactto maintain the movable support section in a selected position of adjustment into which ry outboard motor 12 mounted on the transom 11 in the usual manner and conventional remotecontrol steering and control means (not shown), the primary outboard motor. 12 is provided with the outboard motor attachment 14 of the present invention which comprises a fixed support section 15 mounted on the primary outboard motor 12 so as to extend rearwardly from the primary outboard. motor. 12 in axial alignment therewithThe fixed support section has a rigid general square frame portion 20formed preferably b'yinterconnectedsections of angle irons 21, 22,23 and-24; The bottorn'of the frame portion'20 is connected to the back side of the primary outboard motor 12 by means of spaced lower support rods 26, 27 which have their forward ends secured to opposite sides of the lower housing 13 of the primary outboard motor, preferably by means of connector bolts which normally hold the lower portion of the outboard motor housing in assembled relationship, and having theirouter ends securely connected to the lower angle iron section 22 spaced inwardly from the ends thereof, as by welding. The top of the frame portion 20 is con nected with the housing 13 of the motor by means of double threaded bolts 28 anchored in the housing 13 and which extend through spaced openings 29., 29' in a bracket plate 25 welded or otherwise securely connected to the upper angle 7 iron section 21 of the frame portion 20. The frameportion 20 lower pivotally support means 30, 31IespectiveI-y. The upper FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic side elevatiorial view of the attachment of FIG. 1 in a different position of adjustment;

pivotal support means 2Q is comprised of an elongated bolt 30 which extends horizontally between the upper end of the section, 23, 24 and is supported. in openings extending therethrough. The lower pivotal support means 31 comprises a lower bolt 31 which extends horizontally between the lower ends of sections 23, 24 and is supported in opening extending therethrough. The bolts 30, 31 have a length slightly longer than distance between the spaced angle iron sections 23, 24 and have at least one of the ends thereof threaded to received a fastener means, such as a nut 33 thereon.

The bracket plate 25 and the section of angle iron 21 which together form an upper integral portion of the rectangular support frame of the fixed supporting section is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly extending arm member 34 lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the fixed support sections 15 and preferably having a reinforcing brace 35 interconnecting the arm 34 and the angle iron 23. The outer end portion of the arm member 34 has a downwardly extending positioning or latch plate 36 which lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the fixed support section 15 with the outer surface thereof lying in the plane of the outer surface of the angle iron section 23. The positioning plate 36 is provided with a plurality of spaced passages 37 extending transversely therethrough which are disposed along a generally arcuate path and are adapted to receive a latch element, as will be described hereinafter.

The movable support section 16 is comprised generally of spaced upper frame members 45 46, and lower frame members 47, 48 with the upper frame members 45, 46 pivotally mounted at their forward ends on the bolt 30 and lower frame members 47, 48 pivotally mounted at their forward ends on the bolt 31 of the fixed support section 15. The frame members 45, 46, 47 and 48 are retained pivotally mounted on the bolts 30, 31 by means of suitable fasteners or lock nuts 33 and extend rearwardly from the fixed support section 15 generally perpendicular to the plane of the fixed support section 15. The outer end portions of each of the frame members '45, 46, 47 and 48 are provided with at least two longitudinally spaced openings passages 54 extending therethrough for receiving a connector means associated with an auxiliary transom assembly 51 which is adapted to support an auxiliary outboard motor 18 thereon in a conventional manner. By providing a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 54 in the ends of the frame members 45, 46, 47 and 48 it is possible to adjust the auxiliary transom support assembly 51 to obtain optimum performance of the auxiliary outboard motor 18 which is mounted thereon.

The auxiliary transom assembly 51 comprises a retaining frame 56 formed of short sections of angle irons 57, 58, 59 and 60 welded into a rigid unitary generally square structure and which provides a recess in which an auxiliary transom board 52, such as a wooden block, is securely held by means of suitable fasteners 53. The auxiliary transom board 52 preferably extends forwardly beyond the edge of the angle irons 57, 58, 59 and 60 to permit the auxiliary motor mounting clamp 62 forming a secure connection therewith. Secured to the upper and lower ends of the sections of angle irons 59, 60 forming the lateral surfaces of the retaining frame 56 are short mounting bars 66, 67, 68 and 69 having one end thereof connected to the outer lateral surfaces of one of the sections of angle irons 59, 60, as by welding, and extend forwardly therefrom. The forward end of each of the mounting bars 66, 67, 68 and 69 are each provided with a transverse passage therethrough adapted to receive a mounting bolt 72 which connects the contiguous mounting bars 66, 67 68 and 69 of the transom assembly 51 and the frame members 45, 46, 47 and 48 of the movable support section 16, respectively. The mounting bolts 72 are held in position by suitable fastener lock nuts 73.

The upper frame member 45 of the movable support section 16 is provided with a transverse passage extending therethrough intermediate the ends thereof in axial alignment with the latch receiving openings 37 formed in the positioning plate 36. The transverse passage in the upper frame member 45 is adapted to support therein a latch element or pin 74 which extends therethrough and is removably retained in the latch receiving opening 37 to lock the movable support section 16 in a selected vertical position of adjustment relative to the positioning plate 36 and fixed support section 15. The latch element 74 is preferably permanently attached to the movable support section by means of a short flexible connector or chain 75 to prevent loss thereof.

An important convenience and safety feature of the out board motor attachment of the present invention is the lever actuating means provided on the movable support section 16 which facilitates conveniently and rapidly pivotally moving the support section 16 so that the transom assembly 51 and the auxiliary motor mounted thereon can be controllably moved vertically into and out of the water from within the boat. As best shown in FIG. 4 the lever actuating means comprises an elongated rodlike member 81 having one end attached to the outer surface of the frame member 45, preferably adjacent the pivotal support means provided, and also preferably having a reinforcing brace 82 interconnecting the end portion of the rod member 81 and the frame member 45. The rod member 81 extends outwardly from the frame member 45 and forwardly toward the stern of the boat 10, curving around the prime outboard motor 12, with the handengageable end 84 disposed proximate the transom 11 of the boat 10. The length and curvature of the rod member 81 depends on the size of the primary outboard motor and'the outboard motor attachment. In every instance, however, the rod member 81 should be capable of being moved downwardly without encountering obstructions sufficiently to effect moving the outboard motor into the uppermost elevated position of adjustment and the rod member 81 should also be capable of being moved upwardly without obstruction to effect lowering the outboard motor into its lowest position of adjustment.

An additional safety feature of the present invention is the guidance means provided for automatically moving the motor support and the outboard motor into a predetermined position when the primary steering mechanism of the boat which nor mally controls the position of the outboard motor is left unattended, since it is desirable to have the boat travel in a straight course rather than-a circular course which would normally occur when the steering mechanism of the boat is left unattended. Thus, the outboard motor attachment of the present invention is preferably provided with tension control wires 90, or the like connector means having one end of each of the wires secured to spaced tow rings 92 mounted on the transom 11 adjacent the opposite size of the boat 10, and having the other end of the control wires 90, 90, each connected to an opposite side of the outboard motor attachment, preferably to the verticalsections of angle irons 23, 24, respectively, of the fixed'support section 15. A tension spring means 94, 94 is interposed between the ends of each of the control wires 90, 90' so as to automatically move the outboard motor attachment with its auxiliary outboard motor, as well as the primary outboard motor, into a position such that the boat will travel along a substantially straight course when the normal steering mechanism of the boat is left unattended.

It should be apparent from'the foregoing description that when the outboard motor attachment of the present invention is mounted on a primary outboard motor and an auxiliary outboard motor is attached to the auxiliary transom assembly thereof, the auxiliary outboard motor can be carried in an elevated position of adjustment, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 of the drawing, when only the primary outboard motor is being used or, if desired, when trailing the boat, although normally the auxiliary motor would be removed from the attachment while the boat is being trailed any distance. When it is desired to use the auxiliary outboard motor, either along or in conjunction with the primary outboard motor, the auxiliary outboard motor can be manually started in the usual manner while in the elevated position, if desired, and immediately lowered into the water by removing the latch element or pin 74 and controlling the descent of the auxiliary motor by means of the rod member 81. As the auxiliary motor is lowered, the latch pin opening in the frame member 45 successively moves past one or more latch pin receiving openings 37 in the positioning plate 36 and .when the auxiliary motor has been i lowered to the proper depth in the water, the latch element or pin 74 is inserted through the opening in the frame member 45 into an oppositelydisposed opening 37 in the positioning plate 36, thereby locking themovable support section v 16 in the selected position of vertical adjustment. When it is desired to discontinue use of the auxiliary motor and use only the primary outboard motor, the auxiliary outboard motor can be conveniently removed from the water fromwithin the boat by removing the latch element or pin 74 and moving the rod member 81 downwardly; thereby elevating the transom support assembly 51 and raising the auxiliary outboard motorout of the water. The latch element 74 or pin is then inserted into the latch plate 36 to hold the auxiliary outboard motor in the elevated position. i 1

It will be evident that the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated inthe accompanying drawing which has been described in detail herein comprises an auxiliary outboard motor support means designed for mounting on a primary outboard motor. It should be evident, however,

that one or more of the more important advantages of thetachment of the fixed support section on the transom will be determined by the size of the support means and the auxiliary outboard motor to be used therewith.

It should also be understood that the present invention is not restricted to the detailsof construction of the outboard motor attachment which are shown: in the accompanying drawing, since other equivalent structural elements can be used to form the herein described means'without departing from the broad inventive concept disclosed and defined in the accompanying claims. For example, the fixed support section as a unitary casting or plate and any type of latch means including a remote control latch actuating means mounted on the lever arm 81 can be'us ed in place of the positioning plate 36 and latch pin 74.

lclaim: I

1. In an outboard motor mounting means wherein two outboard motors are mounted in-line on a motor boat hull, the improvement comprising a fixed support section secured to a first outboard motor and extending axially rearwardly therefrom, a movable support section pivotal about a horizontal axis mounted on said fixed support section and extending axially rearwardly from said fixed support section, a transom for supporting a second outboard motor secure to said movable support section, a lever arm having oneend fixedly attached to said movable support section rearwardly of the point where said movable section is pivotally mounted on said fixed support section, said lever arm extending forwardly to a point adjacent said motor boat hull and effecting movements of said transom and said second outboard motor in a vertical plane when said lever arm is moved; whereby said second outboard motor is movable in a vertical plane to effect raising and lowering said second outboard motor into and out of a body of water supporting said boat hull while said first outboard motor remains in said water.

2. An outboard motor mounting means as in claim 1, wherein said mounting means has associated therewith means for adjustably positioning said movable support section relative to said fixed support section comprising a fixed support arm extending rearwardly from said fixed support section with a vertical positioning plate attached to said support arm adjacent said movable support section, said positioning plate having a plurality .of vertically s aced support means, and

means associated with said movab e support section for engaging said support means.

3. An outboard motor mounting means as in claim 1, wherein tension means are connected to said fixed support section which are adapted to apply equal tension to opposite sides of said fixed support section rearwardly of said first outboard motor; whereby said outboard motors are maintained in 15 and the auxiliary transom assembly 51 each can be formed a predetermined position when normal steering mechanism therefor is unattended.

ref 

1. In an outboard motor mounting means wherein two outboard motors are mounted in-line on a motor boat hull, the improvement comprising a fixed support section secured to a first outboard motor and extending axially rearwardly therefrom, a movable support section pivotal about a horizontal axis mounted on said fixed support section and extending axially rearwardly from said fixed support section, a transom for supporting a second outboard motor secure to said movable support section, a lever arm having one end fixedly attached to said movable support section rearwardly of the point where said movable section is pivotally mounted on said fixed support section, said lever arm extending forwardly to a point adjacent said motor boat hull and effecting movements of said transom and said second outboard motor in a vertical plane when said lever arm is moved; whereby said second outboard motor is movable in a vertical plane to effect raising and lowering said second outboard motor into and out of a body of water supporting said boat hull while said first outboard motor remains in said water.
 2. An outboard motor mounting means as in claim 1, wherein said mounting means has associated therewith means for adjustably positioning said movable support section relative to said fixed support section comprising a fixed support arm extending rearwardly from said fixed support section with a vertical positioning plate attached to said support arm adjacent said movable support section, said positioning plate having a plurality of vertically spaced support means, and means associated with said movable support section for engaging said support means.
 3. An outboard motor mounting means as in claim 1, wherein tension means are connected to said fixed support section which are adapted to apply equal tension to opposite sides of said fixed support section rearwardly of said first outboard motor; whereby said outboard motors are maintained in a predetermined position when normal steering mechanism therefor is unattended. 